🐴 Archers thread 124: And they're off! Pip on a high horse, Kirsty champing at the bit to find the lost ‘horses’, Alice on the wagon (or is she riding for a fall?). Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed. We don't all agree on all points and most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you think Shula would make a brilliant vicar, or other unusual views.

Spoilers: not on this thread, please. We don't wait for the omnibus to discuss the weeknight episodes, but we do try our best to avoid cross-contamination from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3853783--The-Archers-spoilers-thread-5-Cant-wait-for-7-02pm-Join-us-here, where spoilers are positively welcomed!

For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, @DadDadDad has created this useful thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have - BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

Thanks to @PoulePouletteEternellement for the equine theme to the new thread title. I wanted to work in Rex being a dark horse and lots of others too, but (you may feel fortunately) there's a character limit for the title.

I wonder if this thread will see us through to the end of February. The last one filled up in under a month, which was like old times. All depends on what delights are in store for us in the coming weeks, I suppose. I'm hoping that Gavin has spilled the beans on Victoria, she's also arrested, and the lads are found. Having said that, I'm not confident that in the real world they would get the support and care they need to turn their lives around and get proper jobs. It was good to hear on the last thread from @Trickyboy, who has professional experience of investigating this vile crime. Any comments on how things turn out in the long run for those rescued?

I get the feeling that Stephanie is not quite ready for marriage...

I found myself wondering if Freddie is about to come out as asexual. (I've had occasion to hang out with Young People recently. Things seemed to have changed from the 80s ...)

Because I find it inconceivable that the beautiful young heir to a stately pile (even with a bumpy history) doesn't have a retinue of bikini clad fans swarming around him as he goes about his day. (Like what'sface in Ally McBeal.) It's really very odd. I worry that he must be lonely.

she mentioned doing some freelance work,

Wasn't it a bit of research for Damara? However generous Justin might feel towards Lilian's family, Phoebe can't be worth an enormous amount in salary terms. She hasn't progressed academically or professionally in any way since graduation. (Other than a nepotistic handout from Great Granny.)

Sisters - it happens frequently in the Archers (at least in the past). Lillian and Jennifer swapped partners a few times as girls. Shula went out with (and slept with) Nigel before Elizabeth.
I can't think of any more recent ones (except Lizzie going after Dr Locke).

Freddie didn't have many friends at school or college. That's partly why he got into drug dealing as he saw the dealer as being "popular" and having lots of friends. He's often been in his twin's shadow.

Was it a reference to Rex taking up with Pip, who is Toby's ex?

On another thread there is a fascinating discussion about whether you could run across a swimming pool filled with custard, and a number of people have mentioned that this wouldn't work with slurry. Perhaps Pip would volunteer to test that latter assertion.

At the same time he [Brian] will guide Rex in his new council farm and we will hear him in every episode and it will be marvellous.
Amen to that.

On another thread there is a fascinating discussion about whether you could run across a swimming pool filled with custard

In my former life as a lifeguard, at the end of the day, we used to pull the cover over the water - and then run races up and down it. (Would have probably been sacked if caught by management.)

Pip is like Philip in some ways. He can't see why Kirsty would feel betrayed, and he just needs to explain to her. Pip can't see why Rex would feel betrayed, and didn't consider his silent devotion could ever become undevoted. She had a momentary hint, then Rex said he was talking of the business relationship, so she dismissed thoughts of the unspoken relationship and she'll be surprised when she finds he doesn't automatically take her side.

he does see himself as a philanthropist, saving them from a worse life of homelessness and drugs and so on I can't believe anyone still really believes this. If this were really the case wouldn't he have had more concern for Blake after he broke his back? Why was he so quick to try and offload them? Wouldn't he have tried to get the boys proper jobs rather than selling them on to the dreadful Victoria? Why the secrecy and denial? He didn't take them off the streets to help them, he did it because he saw it as a way of getting free labour. Once that option was no longer on the table he sold them to the highest bidder. The philanthropy argument is just another pathetic attempt to cover his tracks - rather like his lies about Gavin's gambling. Philip will quite literally say anything to save his own skin - I'm sure he'll have no hesitation in throwing Gavin or even Kirsty under the bus.
Interested to see where Stephanie's interest in Freddie goes. PPE what do you think was the significance of have the Magic Flute warbling away loudly in the background throughout their encounter?

Brian [...] has a heart of gold

That's an appalling thing to say.

It was good to hear Pheeble stirring belatedly to life and remembering that she Can Do things. Realistic too - spite is a great motivator. She was always a bit put out by Pip being brought in and Rex’s reverence for her. This is the kick up the arse she needs to make something of this for herself.

I do not think you people love me as you ought. Days and days of migraine hell - and I emerge to impenetrable sentences, running across custard and being assailed by an opera whose text is utter Schik.

Thank God the only thing I'm required to do now is appear brilliantly witty on Zoom. It'll be easy after this assault course of a MN morning.

(When i say ‘for herself’ obviously i am aware that it’s all with the help of great grandma’s money, granddad’s farming expertise, great uncle justin’s business nous and the thousand other extended family connections that are par for the course whenever members of the enclave Make Something Of Themselves)

I don't think Phroebe got into Moxford with the help of great grandma’s money, granddad’s farming expertise, great uncle justin’s business nous and the thousand other extended family connections.

Not directly, but having a family which supported her studying and was sufficiently affluent that she didn't want for anything all helps.

Her parents weren't that supportive. Roy's not particularly affluent.

"I don't think Phroebe got into Moxford with the help of great grandma’s money, granddad’s farming expertise, great uncle justin’s business nous and the thousand other extended family connections."

er I don't think I said that she did? anyway, going to Oxford did precisely FA for her job prospects and capacity to live independently as an adult. she'd have been better off flogging kitchens with Lily.

It did nothing for her job prospects because the SWs didn't want her to leave Ambridge.

It's so weird. She got into Oxford partly (presumably) through her interview performance on the economics of post-apartheid SA. I had high hopes that her previous experience of the country would facilitate internship opportunities. (Even if her mother proved useless in pushing her on.)

Failing that, failing London, (no mention of Brenda since Phoebe's graduation,) Europe, etc, etc - the very least she might have done is toddled off to Brum, where she'd have had Tuckers galore plus Hayley.

It's so unrealistic. No one in her position would have stayed in Ambridge when they had useful connections elsewhere.

C8H10N4O2
"part of Damara"
Or rather part of BL.

He has been on the board of BL all along, just not the person in charge of Berrow and the rewilding, which for some obscure reason was City Magnate Hedge Fund Owner Justin Elliott -- who is not on the BL board because it was too small beer for him to bother about..

Brian tried very hard back in December 2019 to warn the rewilders that they were being taken for suckers by Justin, by telling Phoebe what was wrong with the contract that none of Phoebe, Rex or Pip seems to have bothered to read or get a lawyer to cast an eye over. Phoebe didn't bother to tell the others, they signed the contract then found out what was wrong with it, and Pip felt justifiably betrayed. I think that was the point at which it became clear that three partners who don't bother to talk to each pother about important things is a doomed venture. Pip is just getting her own back now rather than sooner.

In The Archers, of course, it will be a success because it's an Issue.

I did really enjoy Ruth giving her a talking to. I thought she was very restrained considering how hurt she was by pip bailing on the brookfield bid to join the rewilders. Ruth's parenting isn't always the best but it's often believable.

PursuingProxemicExactitude
It was before my time but Ed/Emma/Will seems accepted as normal in Ambridge rather than an unforgivable fraternal betrayal. Rex is seen as the one Pip will end up with but in real life, someone would give him a shake and tell him to find a decent woman who hasn’t had a child with his brother.

Not TA, but I think I might have mentioned that I switch Tweet of the Day off. I listened today because I could listen to Chris Watson every day.
It's Cweepy Chwis I can't stand

I think Rex will end up with Lily when she finally gives CMR the heave ho

@cameocat

Re Phillip, my brother is a narcissist along with other lovely traits. He's never apologised for anything and is a bully. He is utterly charming and utterly awful within two seconds. He lies to himself and I think genuinely believes his narrative even when you were there and know what he saying is rubbish. He just changes it to suit his perspective. I believe Phillip has those tendencies.

Loved the sound of disappointment from Pip at the ending today. I do hope she regrets her decision and leaves Ambridge for good as a result.

We can but hope @cameocat!

Phillip from his perspective didn't get 'free labour'. He was paying for a flat (presumably) and food, beer and a tv / Xbox / games. All that costs and if they weren't there they'd be on the streets so he has saved them from something much worse. Of course he is conveniently forgetting that if he paid them but removed their expenses he'd still owe them money. He asked Shula why they gave him a present if he was so awful, because he really doesn't seem to understand that's what happens to the vulnerable who are taken advantage of. Look at anyone who is a victim of abuse, they are so often entirely beholden to their abuser and why they can suffer victim abuse (why didn't she just leave / tell someone etc).

He is an abhorrent example of the human species and in denial of his actions. I really hope that they write in his retribution/ downfall well.